Winning the war against spreading infection
Hand hygiene regimes will be put to the test over the coming months. Chris Wakefield, Vice President, European Marketing & Product Development at GOJO Industries-Europe, explains how healthcare facilities can win the battle against infection this winter.
This time of year always poses a challenge for hospitals and healthcare facilities. During the colder months, infection rates increase as millions of people contract influenza (‘flu’), norovirus, and other common colds and viruses. In addition to the annual rise of these seasonal germs this year, of course, is the threat of COVID-19, as it remains in general circulation.
Viruses thrive in closed environments. Even with new regulations in place limiting the numbers of people coming into close contact, viruses are still able to spread easily through indirect contact, via hands and surfaces. What’s more, they can survive for long periods of time. Norovirus (often referred to as the ‘winter vomiting bug’) can live on surfaces for up to 12 days, whilst the World Health Organization (WHO) says that COVID-19 could survive on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to four hours on copper. It could also survive for up to three hours in fine aerosols that are sometimes produced during advanced medical procedures.
It’s clear that hospitals and healthcare facilities are facing one of their most difficult challenges yet. The importance of hand and surface hygiene and its ability to break the chain of infection has been key during 2020, and its role will be even more critical as seasonal viruses enter the mix.
An effective solution
Hand hygiene is the first line of defence when it comes to infection prevention, so healthcare managers should implement an effective solution that encourages compliance. After all, it only works if everyone participates.
Placing eye-catching notices and posters can help influence hygienic behaviour in this respect, but perhaps even more crucial is the choice of product. Choose soaps or sanitisers whose efficacy against germs has been proven through independent scientific testing and conform to key hospital norms EN 1500, EN 14476 and EN 12791. These provide assurance that they are safe to use in healthcare settings.
Our PURELL Advanced Hygienic Hand Rub has also been tested and proven to be effective against Coronavirus. Earlier this year, it was tested against Coronavirus BCoV (surrogate virus) according to EN 14476 standard, and passed with a contact time of just 30 seconds.
Efficacy is only part of the solution though. The formulations must also be kind to skin and enriched with moisturisers to keep it healthy and feeling soft. According to new research, 59% of healthcare workers were found to be affected by irritant contact dermatitis due to an increased
56 | HEALTHCARE HYGIENE
https://www.purell.eu/en/blog-en/hand-disinfectants-moisturising-ingredients-make-the-difference.html (
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/risk-comms-updates/update-21-epi-win-covid-19-transmission-q-a.pdf?sfvrsn=796a4b2b_2)
use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and frequent hand washing.
Dermatitis can lead to two major problems. Firstly, people are less likely to wash hands as often and as thoroughly as they should, for fear of aggravating their condition. Secondly, cracked or damaged skin is more susceptible to colonisation by transient microorganisms, which, consequently, increases the risk for transfer of potentially pathogenic microorganisms to a susceptible patient.
Hand hygiene facilities should also be easily accessible around a building, and within arm’s reach of where patient care or treatment is taking place. PURELL Advanced Hygienic Hand Rub is a good choice for these particular locations. Quick and easy to use, and fast-acting, it’s perfect for when hands are not visibly soiled. It has also been found to be kinder to skin than soap and water, due to the moisturising agents in its formulation.
Providing plentiful opportunities for hand washing and sanitising, supplying effective, non-irritating products, and actively reminding people to use them, can go a long way in boosting compliance. Hand hygiene is a vital weapon in the infection prevention arsenal and will help healthcare providers win the fight against seasonal viruses and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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